Written answers

Thursday, 8 March 2007

Organic FarmingQuestion 10: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the achievements in establishing a large and thriving organic sector since June 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter....

Genetically Modified OrganismsQuestion 11: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will bring forward proposed measures for coexistence of genetically modified and non-GM crops before 18 May 2007; and if she will...

Food LabellingQuestion 12: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the recent survey by a company (details supplied) of 17,000 consumers that found that 80% of respondents found traffic...

National Bovine HerdQuestion 13: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the strength of the bovine herd; the extent to which the numbers have increased or decreased in the past 10 years on a yearly basis; if...

Common Agricultural PolicyQuestion 14: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on EU plans to increase the rate of modulation to 15%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8959/07]

Food LabellingQuestion 15: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the obstacles preventing the implementation of the Food Labelling Group's recommendation in relation to its definition; and if she will...

Organic FarmingQuestion 16: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to encourage supermarkets to provide opportunities for organic producers to sell their produce; and if she will make a...

Farm Retirement SchemeQuestion 17: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her response to the EU petitions committee report on the EU early retirement scheme; the steps she is taking to address the issues...

Alternative Farm EnterprisesQuestion 18: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to review the Forestry Act 1946 in view of the impediment it creates for landowners who grow short rotation coppice, and who...

Farm RecordsQuestion 19: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to ease the burden of paperwork placed on farmers by the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on...

European Council MeetingsQuestion 20: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will report on preparations for the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting of 18 to 19 March 2007; the draft agenda for that...

Rural Environment Protection SchemeQuestion 21: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the REP scheme 4 is to be open to applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8812/07]

Food LabellingQuestion 22: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she has held either informal or formal discussions directly with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland or with the Department of...

Poultry IndustryQuestion 23: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans she has to support the poultry industry due to the lack of adequate processing facilities; and if she will make a statement on...

Direct Payment SchemesQuestion 24: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to address the burden of cross compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8817/07]

Food LabellingQuestion 25: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland on the enforcement of the food labelling laws in view of their...

Farm Retirement SchemeQuestion 26: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will implement the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food's report on the farm retirement scheme; and if...

EU DirectivesQuestion 27: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views of the proposed EU soil protection directive; the input she has made into its formulation; the way its transposition and...

Food LabellingQuestion 28: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will amend legislation to ensure that foodstuffs of foreign origin cannot be labelled produced in Ireland, processed in Ireland...

Veterinary MedicinesQuestion 29: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the price differentials between veterinary medicines supplied from veterinary practices and those...

Food LabellingQuestion 30: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to ensure that non-organic food is not mislabelled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8845/07]

Agricultural PricesQuestion 31: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the fact that the reported 5% rise in the prices paid to farmers in 2006 has been all but wiped out by rising energy, fuel...

Horticulture SectorQuestion 32: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will intervene to curtail the ongoing dominance of supermarket chains in the food market, which is driving many vegetable growers...

Genetically Modified OrganismsQuestion 33: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on allowing regions within Ireland to establish bans on genetically modified crops, in view of the fact that Ireland supported...

Food LabellingQuestion 34: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to ensure that country of origin labelling is clear and transparent to the public; and if she will make a...

Farm Waste ManagementQuestion 35: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to address the delay in processing the farm waste management grant scheme; when the 2007 costings will be...

Food IndustryQuestion 36: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the range of measures An Bord Bia has introduced to assist small food producers to adapt to emerging market opportunities; the budget...

EU DirectivesQuestion 38: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to address the burden placed on farmers by the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the...

Farm Inspection SchemeQuestion 39: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to ensure farmers have notice of all on farm inspections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8958/07]

Food IndustryQuestion 40: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans she has for the enhancement of research and development within the agri-food sector; and if she will make a statement on the...

Farm Waste ManagementQuestion 41: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farmers who have applied under the new farm waste management scheme; the number of applications that have been sanctioned...

Milk QuotaQuestion 42: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her position on the abolition of the milk quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8837/07]

Animal CrueltyQuestion 43: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the procedures which led up to the reported decision to order the slaughter of the pigs which survived the bridge collapse incident in...

Food LabellingQuestion 44: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans she has to establish an all island food label; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8843/07]

Equine SectorQuestion 45: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will explain her Department's failure to implement the regulations covering passports for equines; and if she will make a...

Sugar Beet IndustryQuestion 46: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when compensation will be issued to sugar beet producers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8820/07]

Direct Payment SchemesQuestion 47: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when she will establish an advisory service for farmers to facilitate the implementation of cross compliance; and if she will make a...

International AgreementsQuestion 48: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the degree of implementation of the general commitment by the main World Trade Organisation negotiating partners at Davos on 28 January...

Sheep IndustryQuestion 49: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action she is taking to implement the recommendations of the sheep strategy group report; and if she will make a statement on the...

Milk QuotaQuestion 51: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when she will issue a quota to applicants under the new quota exchange system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8806/07]

Beef IndustryQuestion 52: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action she is taking to address the apparently widening gap between the beef price here and that of British beef, which is higher;...

Alternative Energy ProjectsQuestion 53: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to promote wood energy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8830/07]

Common Agricultural PolicyQuestion 54: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will report on the status of the CAP simplification process; and if she will make a statement on her position in this process....

Farm Waste ManagementQuestion 55: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the grant aid which will be made available to small farmers to manage rainwater under the Nitrates Action Plan; and if she will make a...

Genetically Modified OrganismsQuestion 56: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of samples of US rice tested here since the announcement of the presence of non-authorised LLRICE601 in US rice. [9102/07]

Direct Payment SchemesQuestion 58: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when she will establish an advisory service for farmers to facilitate the implementation of cross compliance; and if she will make a...

Meat PlantsQuestion 59: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will ensure that provision is made under the new meat plant investment scheme to provide facilities for farmers to clearly view...

Food LabellingQuestion 61: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of reports she has received from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland of breaches of food labelling law within her...

Food IndustryQuestion 62: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of meetings of the Food Agency Co-operation Council in 2004, 2005 and 2006; the number of times that its successor the high...

Food Safety StandardsQuestion 63: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the categories of establishments for inspection and sampling purposes; the number of establishments her Department is responsible for...

Dairy SectorQuestion 65: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the National Milk Rights Group submission on a dairy welfare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8531/07]

Milk QuotaQuestion 66: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when she will commence a review of the new quota exchange system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8805/07]

Genetically Modified OrganismsQuestion 67: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on whether Austria's ban on genetically modified crops, upheld at the December 2006 European Council, leaves the way open for...

Animal WelfareQuestion 68: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of animal welfare officers in the country; the funding provided by her Department to the ISPCA; and if she will make a...

Farm Retirement SchemeQuestion 69: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will backdate the top up payment under the farm retirement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8809/07]

Departmental InvestigationsQuestion 70: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of complaints her Department has received arising from the activities of the Special Investigations Unit of her Department...

Genetically Modified OrganismsQuestion 71: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if bans on genetically modified crops must be provided for under EU law if they are to be put into effect on a regional or national...

Food IndustryQuestion 72: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the estimate of the increase of food prices between March 2006 and March 2007; if she has quantified the reason for these increases; the...

Organic FarmingQuestion 73: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the apparent success of bringing over two specialist agronomists from the UK on a pilot basis in 2006 to share their...

Afforestation ProgrammeQuestion 75: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number, size, sale prices and locations of separate sites owned or managed by Coillte in each county (details supplied) which have...

Grant PaymentsQuestion 76: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will ensure that farmers can receive their REP scheme payment and compensatory allowance on lands used to grow renewable crops;...

Poultry IndustryQuestion 77: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will provide support to the former poultry suppliers of Castlemahon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8836/07]

Milk TestingQuestion 78: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to provide for independent milk testing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8828/07]

Grant PaymentsQuestion 79: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to increase the rate of support provided to farmers under the energy crop scheme; and if she will make a statement on the...

Sugar Beet IndustryQuestion 81: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will use her golden share in Greencore; the circumstances under which she would use such powers; and if she will make a statement...

Direct Payment SchemesQuestion 82: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the parties or categories of individuals entitled to receive EU modulation funds; the amount of the modulation funds that have been made...

Food SafetyQuestion 84: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the inspection regimes administered by her Department in relation to the mushroom growing industry; the frequency with which such...

School Milk SchemeQuestion 85: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the moneys available in 2007 to Dublin City Council for the school milk scheme; the funding available in each of the years 2003 to 2006;...

National Genotyping ProgrammeQuestion 86: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on introducing legislation here to deal with the issues it raises while she awaits the EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer...

Direct Payment SchemesQuestion 87: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will introduce a specific single farm payment reserve fund to allocate a top payment to those who faired poorly under the...

Beef ImportsQuestion 88: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the volume of beef that was imported in the years 2002 to 2006, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9139/07]

Farm Retirement SchemeQuestion 89: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the EU committee report on the EU early retirement for farmers scheme; the action she will take arising from the report;...

Common Agricultural PolicyQuestion 90: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to address the burden of red tape in agriculture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8823/07]

Farm Retirement SchemeQuestion 93: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason she did not backdate the top up payment under the farm retirement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter....

Animal WelfareQuestion 94: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, in view of the fact that she is prepared to administer ex-gratia payments to a number of organisations directly involved in the...

Direct Payment SchemesQuestion 95: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if voluntary modulation funds will become available to farmers here; the other forms of modulation in this context and those that...

Dairy IndustryQuestion 96: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had at EU level to protect dairy supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8844/07]

Organic ProductionQuestion 97: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her view of proposals to provide redress to an organic farmer who suffers verifiable economic loss as a result of a mixture of...

Animal DiseasesQuestion 98: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the selection criteria used by her Department in deciding the premises that would be subject to restrictions on the movement of horses,...

Animal Health RegimeQuestion 99: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to introduce an all-island animal health regime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8840/07]

Land MobilityQuestion 101: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans she has to increase land mobility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8841/07]

EU DirectivesQuestion 102: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied that farmers are fully aware of the compliance rules under the nitrates directive. [8826/07]

Farm Retirement SchemeQuestion 103: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will backdate the top up payment under the ERS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8813/07]

EU DirectivesQuestion 105: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the procedure involved for farmers to avail of the 250 kilogram derogation under the nitrates directive; and if she will make a...

Departmental ReportsQuestion 106: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the annual progress report on the implementation of Agri Vision 2015 Action Plan will be made available; and if she will make a...

Genetically Modified OrganismsQuestion 107: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her position on the release of genetically modified crops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8849/07]

Sheep IndustryQuestion 108: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will introduce a ewe welfare and quality scheme similar to the suckler cow scheme for the sheep industry; and if she will make a...

Bovine Disease ControlsQuestion 109: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the comprehensive review of the reactor compensation scheme will be completed; when, after it has been completed, she will...

Sheep IndustryQuestion 110: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will implement the recommendations of the strategy report for the Irish sheep sector; and if she will make a statement on the...

Agrifood SectorQuestion 111: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to ensure the sustainability of agribusiness enterprise; the loans, grants and other assistance available from...

Passports for Investment SchemeQuestion 112: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in relation to the number of passports issued under the passports for investment scheme, his Department...

Graffiti OffencesQuestion 113: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 618 of 21 March 2006, the number of graffiti related charges brought in...

Garda StrengthQuestion 114: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Garda strength and resources allotted to Castlebridge in County Wexford in 1997; the way this compares to...

Garda TrainingQuestion 115: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of hours training Gardaí receive in order to complete the advanced driving course. [9226/07]

Residency PermitsQuestion 116: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 97 of 1 March 2007, if he will accept some method of identification...

Criminal ProsecutionsQuestion 117: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason no prosecution was brought in a case (details supplied); and the measures being put in place to...

Residency PermitsQuestion 118: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when long term residency will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [9261/07]

Visa ApplicationsQuestion 119: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason, in view of the fact that Taiwan is a maturing democracy and a developing economy in modern terms,...

Refugee StatusQuestion 120: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application to remain in the State for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the...

Appointments to State BoardsQuestion 121: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of public appointments made under the aegis of his Department in the first six months of 2002....

Citizenship ApplicationsQuestion 123: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status in the application for family reunification in the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin...

Residency PermitsQuestion 126: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in respect of residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he...

Citizenship ApplicationsQuestion 127: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in respect of residency and naturalisation in the case of persons (details supplied) in County...

Residency PermitsQuestion 129: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current or expected residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if...

Visa ApplicationsQuestion 132: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedures to be allowed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare to enable their...

Garda EquipmentQuestion 133: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of breathalysers and intoxilysers available to An Garda Síochána in each Garda division. [9374/07]

Visa ApplicationsQuestion 134: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a holiday visa will be approved to allow a person (details supplied) to stay in County Mayo. [9637/07]

National MonumentsQuestion 135: To ask the Minister for Finance the current or intended proposals to preserve, restore and maintain the obelisk known as Conolly's Folly, Maynooth, County Kildare; the full extent...

Tax CodeQuestion 136: To ask the Minister for Finance the tax credit system that a person who is separated from their spouse belongs to; and the expenses a separated person who pays maintenance for...

Decentralisation ProgrammeQuestion 139: To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the decentralisation of the Department of Education and Science to Mullingar; when construction of the new offices will commence; when...

Appointments to State BoardsQuestion 141: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of public appointments made under the aegis of his Department in the first six months of 2002. [9292/07]

Decentralisation ProgrammeQuestion 143: To ask the Minister for Finance when the planning process will be complete in relation to the new building in Newcastle West where Revenue employees will be based, following...

Flood ReliefQuestion 144: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Commissioners of Public Works have carried out a review of the effectiveness of the pump in alleviating flooding of land in the River Cashen...

Tax CodeQuestion 145: To ask the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Cork can claim a tax refund in respect of medical expenses incurred by their partner and their child. [9322/07]

Departmental UnitsQuestion 149: To ask the Minister for Finance when the central evaluation unit was set up within his Department; and if he will outline its exact role and terms of reference and its programme of...

Public Private PartnershipsQuestion 150: To ask the Minister for Finance the PPP spend under the National Development Plan 2000 to 2006; and the percentage this represented under the roads, water, public transport and...

Departmental FundingQuestion 151: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position of applications with her Department in regard to funding for a women's refuge centre (details supplied) in County Kildare;...

Hepatitis C IncidenceQuestion 153: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people presenting for cocaine addiction who have contracted Hepatitis C; if it is possible to contract Hepatitis C from...

Community Employment SchemesQuestion 154: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 746 of 27 September 2006 and in view of the response from the Health Service Executive, if she...

Post MortemsQuestion 155: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the timescale it takes on average for results of post mortems to be given to bereaved families; and if she will make a statement on the...

Departmental FundingQuestion 157: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on making funding available to a project (details supplied) in Dublin 11 in order that a fourth project can be established...

Hospital ServicesQuestion 158: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the policy or situation with respect to a general medical practitioner in west Wicklow who requests a Health Service Executive ambulance...

Ambulance ServiceQuestion 159: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the general policy with respect to a general medical practitioner requesting or using a Civil Defence ambulance to bring a patient to...

Health Service StaffQuestion 160: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of basic grade speech and language therapists to be hired by the Health Service Executive in 2007; her views on whether this...

Health ServicesQuestion 161: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not been brought for physiotherapy; and when they can expect to be brought for...

Hospital ServicesQuestion 165: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when joint replacement surgery will commence at the orthopaedic unit of Our Lady's Hospital, Navan; the reason a person (details...

Appointments to State BoardsQuestion 166: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of public appointments she made in the past two months. [9307/07]

Health Service AllowancesQuestion 167: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was told that they would not be granted a mobility allowance on the grounds of age...

Departmental FundingQuestion 168: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if revenue funding of the L'arche project, Callan, County Kilkenny, will be increased in 2007 in line with the recommendations of a...

Nursing Home SubventionsQuestion 169: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate an application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork to the Southern Health Service Executive for...

Health Repayment SchemeQuestion 171: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which she has responded to applications for refund under the national repayment scheme in respect of charges imposed on...

Nursing Home SubventionsQuestion 172: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a fully subvented and dedicated nursing home bed or the financial equivalent will be provided in the case of a person (details...

Hospital AccommodationQuestion 173: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the increase in hospital beds in primary care centres and in community nursing facilities by end 2006 under the Health Strategy 2001....

Health ServicesQuestion 174: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if there is physiotherapy available in a nursing home (details supplied) in County Mayo for the community to avail of. [9638/07]

Renewable Energy GrantsQuestion 175: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if a grant exists for the installation of solar windows in houses. [9242/07]

Biofuels SectorQuestion 176: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the volume of pure plant oil or ethanol expected to be produced here in 2007 which qualifies for maximum excise...

Telecommunications ServicesQuestion 177: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to provide broadband in areas of County Laois where it is currently unavailable. [9223/07]

Appointments to State BoardsQuestion 178: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of public appointments he made in the past two months. [9299/07]

Departmental CorrespondenceQuestion 181: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when correspondence will issue to a local authority (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a...

EU DirectivesQuestion 187: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has received correspondence from the European Commission dated 15 January 2007 regarding the Working Time Directive;...

Industrial DevelopmentQuestion 188: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number, with regard to the Institute for Trade and Investment of Ireland which was established in 1990 and whose...

Appointments to State BoardsQuestion 190: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of public appointments made under the aegis of his Department in the first six months of 2002. [9290/07]

Community Employment SchemesQuestion 192: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress being made in relation to mainstreaming community employment schemes for those participants working with...

Redundancy PaymentsQuestion 193: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who received voluntary redundancy from Semperite Ireland in 1978...

Grocery IndustryQuestion 194: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether there is a cartel in operation within the grocery trade, resulting in small suppliers being forced out...

Social Welfare BenefitsQuestion 195: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will review the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 10 for rent supplement; and if he will make a statement on the...

Departmental ExpenditureQuestion 196: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if there is a financial implication to the changeover of the community welfare officers from the Health Service Executive to his...

Appointments to State BoardsQuestion 197: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of public appointments made under the aegis of his Department in the first six months of 2002. [9295/07]

Departmental StaffQuestion 199: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 213 of 28 February 2007, the number of staff in the Office of Social Inclusion; the grade...

Social Welfare BenefitsQuestion 200: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason spouses, partners or companions are not eligible to accompany free travel pass holders in Northern Ireland under the...

Consultancy ContractsQuestion 202: To ask the Minister for Transport the consultants that have been appointed over the past three years to report on the break up of Aer Rianta; the position regarding the development...

Parking RegulationsQuestion 203: To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 191 of 1 March 2007, if parking regulations apply to parking on footpaths which are situated on a road which...

State AirportsQuestion 204: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the extent of the distributable reserves held by the Dublin Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement...

Open Skies AgreementQuestion 206: To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 422 of 27 February 2007, the transitional arrangements he envisages for Shannon in the event of an Open...

Appointments to State BoardsQuestion 207: To ask the Minister for Transport the criteria and selection processes used for the appointment of the new chairman of the Railway Procurement Agency; the job specification...

Rail ServicesQuestion 210: To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 21 February 2007, if he has made a decision on the railway order application; if he has not signed...

Road NetworkQuestion 211: To ask the Minister for Transport the spending under the roads programme of the National Development Plan 2000-2006; and the percentage of projects completed as measured in...

Port SectorQuestion 212: To ask the Minister for Transport the date when it was decided to review port capacity and develop a strategy for the future; and when it is expected that this will be published....

Public TransportQuestion 213: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of buses in the Dublin Bus fleet; the passenger capacity and passengers carried each year from 1999 to 2006; the number of DART...

Appointments to State BoardsQuestion 216: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of public appointments made under the aegis of his Department in the first six months of 2002. [9288/07]

Food Safety StandardsQuestion 218: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she or her officials have held either informal or formal discussions directly with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland or with her...

Farm Waste ManagementQuestion 219: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farmers who have applied under the new farm waste management scheme; the number of applications sanctioned to date; if...

Horticulture SectorQuestion 220: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the way she will respond to the Irish Farmers Association's claim that the vegetable growing industry will be gone within three years...

Afforestation ProgrammeQuestion 221: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason there is no requirement to use any native species of tree in the national afforestation programme, Growing for the Future;...

Direct Payment SchemesQuestion 222: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when she will issue farmers with a copy of her Department's inspection checklist on cross compliance; and if she will make a statement...

Genetically Modified OrganismsQuestion 224: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans her Department has to evaluate the economic implications of the use of genetically modified organisms; and if she will make a...

Direct Payment SchemesQuestion 225: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will introduce a specific single farm payment reserve fund to allocate a top payment to those who fared poorly under the...

Disadvantaged Areas SchemeQuestion 226: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the level of funding available in 2007 under the area aid compensation allowance scheme; the level of payments made under the scheme in...

Horticulture SectorQuestion 227: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the level of supports for the development and promotion of horticultural production to growers; if she will provide a breakdown of such...

Food Safety StandardsQuestion 228: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if all imported food products, particularly poultry, meet with the best practice in health and hygiene standards; and if she will make...

Food LabellingQuestion 229: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to concerns or gaps in the labelling framework of food products particularly imported produce; and if...

Grant PaymentsQuestion 230: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway was refused the single farm payment in 2005 and 2006; and if she will make a...

Farm Retirement SchemeQuestion 235: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason hundreds of retired farmers are suffering severe financial hardship due to an unfairly implemented EU pension scheme; the...

Live ExportsQuestion 236: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of cattle and calves exported from the Republic of Ireland to continental Europe in 2006 by direct roll-on, roll-off ferry...

Appointments to State BoardsQuestion 238: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of public appointments made under the aegis of her Department in the first six months of 2002. [9286/07]

Installation Aid SchemeQuestion 240: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to an application for installation aid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if...

Farm Waste ManagementQuestion 241: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she will take to encourage the proliferation of anaerobic digesters to cater for farm waste, improve efficiency, become more...

Agricultural ExportsQuestion 243: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the producing countries now presenting the strongest competition for Irish agricultural exports on European or world markets; and if...

World Trade NegotiationsQuestion 245: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the future for agriculture and the food producing sector in general in the context of the World Trade Organisation; and if she will...

Greenhouse Gas EmissionsQuestion 246: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which CO2 emissions are expected to become part of the negotiations in respect of the food industry in the context of the...

Dairy IndustryQuestion 248: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which Irish dairy exports are expected to continue or expand in the future in view of the reduction in the national herd;...

Food LabellingQuestion 249: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if all meat and meat products imported are labelled and compliant with the disease, hygiene and traceability standards applicable here;...

Purchase for Destruction SchemeQuestion 250: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the methodology used to dispose of bonemeal or other products which arose as a result of the beef destruct scheme; and if she will make...

Alternative Energy ProjectsQuestion 251: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the acreage and variety of biofuel crops growing or proposed in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9353/07]

Food IndustryQuestion 252: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her vision for the growth of the food production sector in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9354/07]

Farm Waste ManagementQuestion 253: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which she proposes to improve, increase or enhance incentives to cater for farm yard waste thereby reducing the threat of...

Farm Retirement SchemeQuestion 254: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applicants who have opted for the farm retirement scheme in each of the past 10 years to date in 2007; and if she will...

Food IndustryQuestion 255: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which beef, lamb, dairy or cereal production has increased or otherwise in each of the past 10 years; and if she will...

Alternative Farm EnterprisesQuestion 256: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which deer farming has expanded or contracted in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter....

Food IndustryQuestion 257: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the markets that she has identified for expansion in respect of Irish food exports; and if she will make a statement on the matter....

Direct Payment SchemesQuestion 258: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will review the cross compliance farm inspection checklist in order that it is more reasonable and takes account of practical...

Forestry SectorQuestion 259: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will amend the remit of Coillte in relation to the provision and management of recreational woodland; and if she will make a...

Direct Payment SchemesQuestion 261: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to address the burden of cross compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8834/07]

Higher Education GrantsQuestion 262: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if adequate support will be provided to trainee teachers to cover the cost of classroom materials during their time on teaching...

Third Level FeesQuestion 263: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the regulations regarding residency here and eligibility for the free fee scheme for third level students. [9199/07]

Disadvantaged StatusQuestion 265: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on the issues raised in relation to a school (details supplied) in County Louth. [9222/07]

Departmental AgenciesQuestion 266: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the National Council for Curriculum Assessment was set up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9235/07]

Corporal PunishmentQuestion 267: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when corporal punishment was abolished; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9236/07]

State ExaminationsQuestion 268: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the year French and German orals were brought in; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9237/07]

Schools InspectorateQuestion 269: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the name of the primary schools' inspector based in Enniscorthy, County Wexford in 1954; and if she will make a statement on the...

School ClosuresQuestion 270: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will close a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9241/07]

Irish LanguageQuestion 271: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding entry entitlement to third level Institutions for students granted an exemption from Irish in the leaving...

Pupil-Teacher RatioQuestion 272: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason, with regard to the class size in primary schools here, there are 34% of primary school children in County Sligo in classes...

Schools RefurbishmentQuestion 273: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the timescale for the long promised refurbishment works to schools (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if her attention has been drawn to...

State ExaminationsQuestion 274: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason students who have to repeat the leaving certificate, are being charged €251 which is approximately 2.6 times the amount...

Schools Building ProjectsQuestion 275: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation in respect of the proposed new second level school for Donabate, County Dublin; when it is expected that a tendering...

Appointments to State BoardsQuestion 277: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of public appointments made under the aegis of her Department in the first six months of 2002. [9289/07]

Adult EducationQuestion 279: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if provision can or will be made for funding for AONTAS (details supplied) for improved funding, structures and supports for adult...

Water MetersQuestion 280: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that both primary schools and post-primary schools are due to have water meters installed...

Home TuitionQuestion 281: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of students being taught by home tuition here currently; the corresponding figure for the past five years; the amount home...

School AccommodationQuestion 282: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide the information requested by e-mail dated 22 February 2007 in respect of the number of classrooms being provided...

Local Authority FundingQuestion 284: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position of an application by a women's refuge support group (details supplied) in County Kildare for...

Departmental StaffQuestion 285: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the grade and job description and role of the environmental economist employed by his Department and who...

EU DirectivesQuestion 286: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 545, 546, 547 and 548 of 27 February 2007, when the Commission's...

Appointments to State BoardsQuestion 287: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of public appointments made under the aegis of his Department in the first six months of 2002....

Housing StatisticsQuestion 289: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of houses built each year since 1997, distinguishing the number of one-off houses, detached,...

Planning IssuesQuestion 290: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of projects commenced and completed under the special development zone powers of planning Acts to...

Local Authority HousingQuestion 291: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the contracts in respect of maintenance of central heating at a premises (details supplied) in...

Social and Affordable HousingQuestion 292: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in respect of his recent announcement in regard to the purchase of 500 houses in the greater Dublin area...